When black sea bass are around New London / Waterford
Black sea bass fishing out of New London / Waterford runs from late June through November across the boats that list the species. These are the operators’ listed windows, not a guarantee of fish. Ramps, channels and conditions for the port are on our New London / Waterford page, and the general species picture is in the black sea bass guide. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Northeast and the Atlantic Northeast region guide.
| Operator | Listed sea bass window |
|---|---|
| Lucky Strike | July to November |
| Lady Jo | late June through October |
| Sunbeam | Wednesday sea bass and fluke trips into early September |
July through September falls inside every listed window. Lady Jo starts earliest, in late June, and Lucky Strike runs latest, into November. If you trailer a boat in from out of town, plan around that overlap.
Where boats run and the grounds that hold them
Boats fish local reefs and bottom structure out of Waterford and New London: rock pile and reef structure in eastern Long Island Sound, with the Thames River as the way out. For general reef and structure context, see our reef fish guides.
Look each of these grounds up on a chart before you run, and don’t use chart layers for navigation.
- Bartlett Reef
- The Spindle
- The Race
- Watch Hill reefs
- Black Point
Bartlett Reef
Bartlett Reef is a named reef among the local grounds near the port. Look it up by name on your chart.
The Spindle
The Spindle is a navigational aid on the rock pile at the south end of Bartlett Reef. On a chart, it marks that rock pile.
The Race
The Race is a named ground near the port. Before you decide on it, check the official marine forecast and read wind, wave height and current as numbers.
Watch Hill reefs
Watch Hill reefs are named reef grounds near the port, to the east.
Black Point
Black Point is a named ground near the port. Mark it on your chart with the others.
How sea bass are fished out of this port
Bottom fishing is the local approach. Sunbeam Fleet runs captain’s choice trips that are mostly bottom fishing, and its public Wednesday trips pair sea bass with fluke.
A report from the Thames River east had sea bass improving on squid and jigs. For rigs, go back to the black sea bass guide linked above.
Who fishes for sea bass out of this port
Three local operators list black sea bass, and their trips show when and how the port fishes them.
Sunbeam Fleet
Sunbeam Fleet in Waterford is Sunbeam Fleet (Captain John’s Sport Fishing Center), family-run for over 80 years with 3 boats in the fleet. It runs public Wednesday sea bass and fluke trips into early September, and its captain’s choice trips are mostly bottom fishing.
Lady Jo
Lady Jo Sportfishing Charters lists sea bass from late June through October.
Lucky Strike
Lucky Strike Charters lists sea bass from July to November.
FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of New London / Waterford
When is sea bass season out of New London?
Late June through November across the listed operators. Lady Jo lists late June through October, Lucky Strike lists July to November, and Sunbeam runs public Wednesday sea bass and fluke trips into early September. These are the operators’ listed windows.
Where do boats fish for sea bass near Waterford?
Boats fish local reefs and bottom structure out of Waterford and New London. The named grounds are Bartlett Reef, The Spindle, The Race, Watch Hill reefs and Black Point.
What is The Spindle?
The Spindle is a navigational aid on the rock pile at the south end of Bartlett Reef.
What baits work for sea bass here?
A report from the Thames River east had sea bass improving on squid and jigs. Sunbeam’s captain’s choice trips are mostly bottom fishing.
Which party boat runs sea bass trips?
Sunbeam Fleet runs public Wednesday sea bass and fluke trips into early September.
Where are the size and bag limits?
They are on the Connecticut regulations page linked above. Check it before you fish.
